Interview with a Runner

This week's runner, Nicole O'Donnell not only helps athletes cross the finish line, but also helps fight Parkinson's Disease in the process. Nicole has always wanted to help people and make a difference so she embarked in a nonprofit career.  Recently, she started working at the Michael J. Fox Foundation as the Team Fox Athletics Officer (dream job!) which is how the Hot Birds met her. Nicole lives on Long Island with her husband, Sean and their dog, Mabel. She's a health freak and vegetarian, loves to travel and is obssesed with cooking. She is also loves running now thanks to Team Fox and the NYC Half! Thanks for inspiring us to do what we love, Nicole!

When did you start running?
I have to be honest, prior to this year, I was not the biggest fan of running. But then I gained entry into the NYC Half marathon through Team Fox! I wanted to run in honor of my father-in-law who is living with Parkinson’s. This whole journey, from training to crossing that finish line, was truly an amazing experience and my love for running has blossomed.

Who or what inspires you to run?
Working in nonprofit, I have meet so many amazing people that have overcome various obstacles in their life. Each person I have met has inspired me in ways I could never fully articulate into words – they not only inspire me to run but to live life to the fullest.

What is your favorite running route? Why?
Around my neighborhood – it’s good motivation to keep going or pick up the pace…at any moment someone you know might pass by!

Favorite post-run meal?
Peanut butter! I always eat a teaspoon right before and after a run. This ritual came to fruition while training for the NYC Half marathon – Why? No clue but any excuse to eat Peanut Butter is fine by me.

Best piece of running advice?
Listen to your body. Don’t be caught up on the amount of miles you are running but focus on your breathing, your pace and just enjoy the moment.

Are you running for fun or sport?
Fun.

Who would you love to run with (doesn't have to be a runner)?
Anyone who is willing to run with me.

Favorite way to sweat other than run? 
Kickboxing!

Interview with a Runner

This week's runner is one of the most enthusiastic runners we've ever met.  We met Juliane Smoker while she was training for the 2013 Chicago Marathon with Team Fox in honor of her father. Juliane currently lives in Overland Park, Kansas where she works as a nurse at her new job in the operating room at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City, MO. She's pretty sure that she is the one and only Juliane Smoker ever and enjoys the perks of her last name in the running environment after someone yelled after her during a trail run, "See, I told you you'd smoke me Smoker!" Find out what else Juliane loves about all things running - there's a lot!

When did you start running?
I started running, and really running, when I was in nursing school doing an accelerated track program to earn my BSN. Fortunately where I have lived in the Kansas City area, I have always been blessed with great trail systems usually within a quarter mile access. Running seemed like it would be a convenient way to get moving, be outside and just “be.” I found all that and more. I found my strength and determination an outlet. I found a hidden community of people I passed on the trails that I felt connected to, even though I didn’t know anything about them or who they were, just seeing them regularly there. I found that whether I was happy, sad, frustrated, nervous or even had a headache, running always magically was an option that left me feeling better and in good spirits. Oh, and I’ve also found humor. Yes, wedgies, chaffing, fraken-walking, GI issues, farmers blows, etc.

Who or what inspires you to run?
The ability I have to run in itself inspires me to run. My mom used to run when I was younger, but a drunk driver took that ability away from her.  To this day she has a permanently broken ankle with no cartilage between the bones. My dad never ran, and being diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s Disease at age 40, his ability to even walk was compromised. Running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in October 2013 with the Michael J Fox Foundation in honor of my dad was something I am so proud to have accomplished and was very emotional for me! Hot Bird Running provided me with a great deal of support during my training for that marathon which I am very thankful for!

What is your favorite running route? Why?
I don’t have a favorite running route. I just run where I am planted :) But I do find that, once planted, I will establish route options for myself. That I tend to then re-run but not the same way everyday. I love going places and running and exploring. Running helps with critical thinking skills because when you run in a new place you have to make decisions about where to turn next, encounter hills you don’t know are how high, and avoid that big puddle, ice patches etc.

Favorite post-run meal?
I love food! But usually, I focus more on strategy for what I eat before the run. My go to there would be a half banana, egg whites, toast and coffee. Afterwards I listen to my gut! But, in general, I like to keep it well rounded with a definite emphasis on protein. After I ran my first full marathon I went to Kansas City’s famous Oklahoma Joe’s for some good old BBQ.

Best piece of running advice?
Don’t do too much too soon, too hard, too fast. That’s how I got a stress fracture in my right tibia. It was a sad 4 weeks of non-weight-bearing on that leg and using crutches!

Are you running for fun or sport?
I run mostly for fun 65% of the time. But when it comes to setting my sights on a marathon or PR I am all about being hardcore. I attempted to do my first ever trail run February 8th this year in the worst snow Kansas City had this winter. I was all about the research of gear, the route, topography and screwing my shoes to train!

Who would you love to run with and why (doesn't have to be a runner)? 
My mom. I think she misses it, and we’d have fun laughing at each other.

Favorite way to sweat other than run? 
I like to do classes at my local gym, primarily one called “total conditioning”.

Interview with a Runner

We have met so many incredible people through our coaching for Team Fox and this week's runner, Michael Kelly, is at the top of the list. Mike is 59 years old and lives in the the small town of Cornwall, NY (about an hour north of NYC) with his wife, Ellen, of 35 years. They have three children ages 25, 28 and 30 (Michael, Mary, Jennie). Mike was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease at the age of 51 and, amazingly, decided to take up running a few years later. Since then he's completed multiple races including several NYC marathons! Running, golf and tennis are what keeps him going; finding that the more he exercises the less medication he needs on a daily basis.

What also keeps him going is the support he gets from the his family, friends and the people at the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF). Each year, Mike runs a 5k & 10k charity event over the Storm King Mountain and another at the Newburgh Brewery with all proceeds going to the MJFF. Mike understands that everyone who has Parkinson's is affected differently - he chooses to keep his chin up and stay positive (like everyone, he does have his moments).

When did you start running?
I've never been a runner, but I did play sports. I began my running career in 2009. My daughters were training for the NYC Marathon. My daughter, Mary, hurt her leg and couldn't run. So, like a nut I said if you can get me in, I'll run along with my other daughter Jennie. So they got me in through the Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF). Halfway through the race Jennie couldn't continue. So guess who was the only one to finish? From that point I have now run 4 NYC Marathons and all three of my children have completed one with me. That's a great feeling.

Who or what inspires you to run?
Everyone who is struggling everyday with this disease inspires me in different ways. It is tough to pick one. Michael J. Fox would have to be at the top of everyone's list, without a doubt.

What is your favorite running route? Why?
Can't say I have one route that I like better. Depends on the mood.

Favorite post-run meal?
Sam Adams and pasta.

Best piece of running advice?
Don't go out to fast. That's easy for me since slow is the only speed I have.

Are you running for fun or sport?
Definitely for health.

Who would you love to run with and why (doesn't have to be a runner)? 
This is somewhat ironic. Before the marathon I asked Michael J. Fox if he would run the last couple miles of the marathon with me. He said yes. And he did! ----- I was glad he waited since I was quite slow. Great end to a great race.

Favorite way to sweat other than run?
Tennis.

Mike and Michael J. Fox during the NYC Marathon